Objective: To probe into the effects of intranasal mucosal administration of dexmedetomidine (Dex) on perioperative blood gas indicators and extubation quality of laparoscopic hernia repair in children. Methods: From Jan. 2020 to Apr. 2021

80 children undergoing laparoscopic hernia repair in our hospital were extracted to be divided into the control group (n=26)

Dex 1 group (n=27) and Dex 2 group (n=27) via the random number table method. The arterial blood partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2)

partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) and pH were measured before surgery

5 minutes after pneumoperitoneum

and 30 minutes after deflation among three groups of children. Blood oxygen saturation (SpO2)

heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) before administration of Dex (T0)

30 min after administration of Dex (T1)

3 min at the beginning of surgery (T2) and 3 min at the end of surgery (T3) were compared among three groups. The awaking time

extubation time

extubation quality

restlessness score and incidence of adverse drug reactions were compared among three groups. Results: The levels of PaO2

pH and PaCO2 at 5 min after pneumoperitoneum in the control group were respectively (73.16±7.45) mm Hg

7.21±0.06 and (45.16±5.96) mm Hg. The levels of PaO2 at 5 min after pneumoperitoneum in the Dex 1 and Dex 2 groups were respectively (78.46±6.64) mm Hg and (79.43±6.51) mm Hg

and pH values were respectively 7.38±0.10 and 7.49±0.08

all higher than those in the control group. The levels of PaCO2 in the Dex 1 and Dex 2 groups were respectively (40.14±4.19) mm Hg and (37.06±4.32) mm Hg

all lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The pH at 5 min after pneumoperitoneum in Dex 2 group was higher than that in Dex 1 group

and PaCO2 was lower than that in Dex 1 group (P<0.05). HR and MAP at T1

T2 and T3 decreased in Dex 1 and Dex 2 groups (P<0.05). HR at T1 and T3 in Dex 2 group was lower than that in Dex 1 group

MAP at T1 was lower than that in Dex 1 group (P<0.05). HR and MAP at T1

T2 and T3 in Dex 1 and Dex 2 groups were lower than those at T0 (P<0.05). The extubation scores and restlessness scores were (4.51±0.95) points and (13.25±2.59) points for the control group

(2.93±1.03) points and (9.27±2.23) points for the Dex 1 group

and (2.15±1.14) points and (6.38±2.62) points for the Dex 2 group

respectively. Compared with the control group

the extubation scores and restlessness scores of the Dex 1 group and Dex 2 group were lower

and the Dex 2 group was lower than the Dex 1 group (P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the awakening time

extubation time and incidence of adverse drug reactions among three groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: The administration of Dex through the nasal mucosa can effectively improve the respiratory and circulatory function of children undergoing laparoscopic hernia repair

reduce the stress response to extubation and agitation during the recovery period

and does not prolong the extubation time or increase the incidence of adverse drug reactions with higher safety.